NFL MVP Watch: Sam Darnold has entered the MVP conversation

Eric Williams

NFL Reporter

After bouncing around four teams in seven NFL seasons, Sam Darnold is playing his best football for the Minnesota Vikings this season. The USC product has guided the Vikings to a surprising 3-0 record. He leads the league in passing touchdowns (8) and is second in passer rating (117.3).

Selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 draft, Darnold was projected by NFL scouts as a prospect who would thrive in the pros because of his strong arm and movement skills. However, he’s always had an issue with taking care of the football, with 58 career interceptions.

But Darnold has been better so far this season, with just two interceptions through three games. Darnold, 27, made a big jump in the MVP odds — moving from 100/1 to 30/1 — which is why he leads our MVP Watch this week. Darnold’s success has even spawned a spoof page on social media. 

The larger question is this: Can Darnold keep up this pace for the duration of the season? The reason I don’t think Darnold will turn into a pumpkin in the second half of the year is simple — he has the best receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson.

The LSU product is always open, and Darnold is looking for him in critical moments of the game on third down and in the red zone. And because Jefferson is getting so much attention, he’s creating opportunities and play designs for head coach Kevin O’Connell to dial up easy throws to other receivers. 

This season, Darnold has completed 66.7% of his passes to Jefferson for 273 yards, with four 20-plus-yard completions for three touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 149.3 passer rating.

Darnold’s ascension leads this week’s MVP Watch: 

No. 1: Sam Darnold, Vikings
Current MVP Odds: +3000 (bet $10 to win $300 total)

Darnold will stay motivated for another important reason — he’s playing for a contract. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings in free agency. And since…

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Publish date : 2024-09-25 15:29:10

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